Cracknell sets new end-to-end record

A team featuring double Olympic rowing champion James Cracknell has set a record for a four-rider relay over the 842 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats. The team, sponsored by marketing and events company HotChillee completed the ride in a time of 34 hours, 54 minutes and 4 seconds; one rider was on the road at all times with the others riding in support vehicles.

“It was an honour to be part of this fantastic team,” said Cracknell. “This wasn’t a plod up the country. They were taking me along at 25 mph at times. It was an amazing experience to ride up the entire length of the country. Everyone was pushing themselves so hard and at times it was extremely tough. It was an incredible experience.”

The riders with Cracknell in the team were UK-based elite riders Jerone Walters, Steve Golla and Phill Sykes. The time was set as a benchmark for next summer’s HotChillee E2E Challenge, which will invite amateur teams to attempt to break the new record.

The ride from Lands End – the south western tip of England – to John O’Groats – the north eastern tip of Scotland – is a traditional endurance challenge undertaken by drivers, cyclists and walkers. Most attempts are for charity, but occasionally an attempt is made to set the fastest time by a particular mode of transport.

The current record for the end-to-end ride by a single rider is held by British long-distance time trial specialist Gethin Butler, who covered the distance in 44 hours, four minutes and 20 seconds in 2001.